Vinegar dosings effect on tank pH..

[TWYOUNG]

My tank suffers from pH in the lower range, 7.8 to 8.0 despite employing all the usual fixes. I run a CO2 scrubber, dose kalkwasser,(4L per day in a 130g system) and have an open top with lots of circulation. I believe this problem existed, at least to some extent, prior to carbon dosing but may have worsened. Can adding aprox. 100 mls of vinegar daily have a significant effect on pH? I dose it through my kalk stirrer in an attempt to boost the solubility of my kalk powder. Would some other carbon source be preferable? Thanks Randy or any other chemists oit there!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

All organic carbon sources will lower pH since they produce CO2, and to a first approximation, the effect is much the same for all types.

When dosed alone vinegar lowers pH immediately and less later than, say, ethanol. But they way you are dosing, that effect is not present.

If you like the organic dosing effect, and want to raise pH, I’d look to other methods, such as fresher air to the room or skimmer, scrubber, etc.

 

[TWYOUNG]

All organic carbon sources will lower pH since they produce CO2, and to a first approximation, the effect is much the same for all types.

When dosed alone vinegar lowers pH immediately and less later than, say, ethanol. But they way you are dosing, that effect is not present.

If you like the organic dosing effect, and want to raise pH, I’d look to other methods, such as fresher air to the room or skimmer, scrubber, etc.

Thanks, I am already using a CO2 scrubber so I don't see any further interventions available to me at present.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, I am already using a CO2 scrubber so I don't see any further interventions available to me at present.

Fresher room air could help. The current pH range is OK, however. :)